Under-pan for automobiles.



J. A. MILLER.

UNDER PAN FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED DB0.2,1907.

925,783. Patented-June 22, 1909.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 1.

64 ATTORNEY J. A. MILLER. UNDER PAN POR AUTOMOBILES. APPLIOATION FILED DBo.2.19ov.

Patented June 22, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. v

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

UNDER-PAN FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1909.

Application filed December 2, 1907. Serial No. 404,751.

inUnder-Pans for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

My `invention relates to an under panl adapted to be attached to automobiles for the purpose of protecting the motor and working parts from dust, water or mud, thereby `keeping' said parts clean and free from any fore-ign matter, in consequence of which the various parts will be longer lived and at the same time the best power output in dusty or ,'wet weather will be obtained.

More particularly my inventionk relates to an under pancolnprising side sections and a bot-tom section secured thereto, which bottom section may be easily and quickly removed when itbecomes necessary to make repairs or adjustments to any ofthe working parts or to the motor. v

lVhile, by way of illustration, I have shown a' form of under pan which is specific ally constructed for use in connection with the Maxwell Model ,I-I touring car, it will of course be understood that a pan embodying the principles of my invention may be constructed `tor use with any other forni 'of automobile without departing from the spirit thereof.r

IVith. these and other ends in'view, my invention 'consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, as will 'be hereinafterfully described and pointediout in the claims.

y "ln' the.accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is -a side elevation of in v device attached to the frame of an automobile. Fiv. 9. is a top plan' view thereof. Fig. 3 is a front elevation ofthe same. Fig. 4 is a sectional view tal-ien on the line 4 1 of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a sectional view takenonthe line V5---5 of Fig-1. Fig. (tis a sectional view taken on the line G -G of Fig.` 1, one side only` being shown. Fig. 7 is 'a similar view taken on the line 7-'7 of Fig.1. Fig. 8 is a. sectional View taken ori the 'line 8MSv o f Fig. 2;' Fig.

' 9 isy a? sectional 'view taken on the linefl 125 and 1l are perspective views of the left. and. right front side sections.

l will lirst describe the cmistruction of the various sections ot' which the under pan is composed, which sections may be made ot' galvanized sheet iron orally other suitable materiah' after which I will explain how they are assembled and connected with one another and with the frame or bodv of the automobile. l

Referring to the drawings, 15 indicates the right hand front side section comprising a substantially trapezoidal shaped body portion, as shown in Fig ll provided with outwardly extending flanges 1G and 17 at its upper and front edges respectively, said lianges being at substantially right angles to the body portion and having suitably spaced holes23, and formed therein. The lower edge, which is inclined in a rearwardly dircction, is provided with a grooved flange 18 provided with suitably spaced holes 32,A the edge of said tl'ange being turned inward and" upward as shown in said figure, andl from the rear edge, a rearwardly extending tongue 19 projects, for a purpose hereinafter described, said tongue being provided with an opening 2O adapted to receive a bolt, screw or other fastening device.l Y

21 is an opening formed in the body portion of the section through which the carbnreter is adapted to partially project, said opening being covered by a U-shaped piece of met-al 22, which is attached to the odv portion in any suitable manner. It will of coursel be understood that the openin 21 and its protecting cover 22 may be omitted when the pan is constructed for automobiles in which the carbureter is so located that the pan will not interfere therewith when it is placed in position. The left-hand front side section 57, 'shown in Fig. 13, is similar in all respc'ets to the one described, excepting that the opening 21 and cover 22 are. omitted, as they are not necessary.

58 indicates the right hand rear side se tion comprising a substantially rectangular body portion, the lower partof which is bent slightly. inward along the diagonal line 2l, a'sfshown in Fig. 12, said body portion being provided with-an outwardly extendingfliange 25"throughout a p'ort'ionfof its upper edge, and n inwardly extending tiange 26 at its inner edge. l'The lower edge, which is inclined towardthe front, is vprovided with a' vao i being of course unnecessary.

.the rear side sections.

grooved flange 27, provided with suitably spaced holes 33, the edge of said flange being bent inward and upward as shown in said figure, 'and from the frontedge of the section, a forwardly extending tongue 2S projects, for a purpose hereinafter described, said tongue being provided with an opening 29, adapted to receive a boltscrew or other suitable fastening device. At a suitable place, the body of the section is provided with an opening 30, through which the steering post or rod is adapted to pass. The left hand rear section 31, shown in Fig. 11, is similar ingall respects to the one described, excepting that the opening 30 is omitted, it

The bottom section, which is preferably made from asingle piece of metal, is shown in Fig. 10, and comprises a substantially rtangular frontA portion .34 and a trapezoidal shaped rear portion 35, inclined at an angle with one another, as shown, said portions being provided at their side edges with downwardly extending flanges 36 and 37,.

respectively, the flanges 36 havingholes 3S formed therein adapted to register with the holes o2 in the front side vsections 15; and

the flanges 37 having holes 39 formed thereiii, adapted to register with the holes 33 in At the 'central portion of the front edge of the portion 3,4, is a suitable notch or recess 40, into which a por tion of the frame is adapted to fit, and on either side of said notch are the downwardly extending flanges 41, provided with suitable holewhich arev adapted to register with suitably spaced holes in the radiator'cross member, as hereinafter described.

Having described the construction of the sections of the under pan, I will now describe the manner of assembling the same and explain how they are attached to one another and to the frame or body of the automobile. For the sakev of clearness, I have shown only those parts of the'frame or body which Aare necessary for a full understanding of the manner of securing the under pan thereto, said parts comprising the longitudinal side members 43 and 44, preferably consisting of channel bars and positioned with their open sides facing inwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 4; the radiatorv cross member 45, preferably consisting of an angle iron (see Fig. 9), bent to form a' horizontal 'portion 46, and vertical end portions 47, 48, the'upper ends .of which are bent outwardly to provide means whereby the member may be attaclied-to the side members 43 and 44; and the transmission supporting cross-member 49, which is bent or formedto comprise the horizontal por` y tion 50, and the upwardly and outwardly extending arms 51 and 52, the extreme' ends of which are bento engage with theside. A members 43'and 44, whereby the cross memwhich holes register with .the holes 53 in the ltiang'e 17, and bolts or other suitable fas tening devices 54 are passed through said holes, whereby the flange 17 is tightly held against the inner face of said member 47.

The section 15 is so positioned that the viiange 16 will rest against the under side of the side member 43, as shown in Fig. 7, with which it is held in contact bya clip 55, pieferably J-shaped as shown, the `long arin of said clipresting upon the inner surface ofv the lower flange of the side ineinbei' 43, and the flange 16 being secured thereto by a bolt or other suitable fastening device 56, which passes through the hole 23 in the Harige 16.'. 1t will of course be understood that l may use'an'yv other suitable form of clip without departing from the spirit of my invention. The oppositefroiit side section 24 is secured in position in a similar manner. y

tion, I preferably, forconvenience,malte use of the rear 4bolt 59 of the support orhanger 60, by which to secure a' clip 61 to the side member 43, between the lower Hange of which and said clip, the flange of the sec- A vtion 58 is secured, said section being.' fase tened to the clip by a bolt or other suitablefastening device 62, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. Then this section of the pan is in posi- 9U To secure therear side section 5311i position, its rear fiange 26 will lfrictionally enf gage the rear face of the inclined arm 51 of `the cross member 49, as shown in.- Fig. Q;

The tongue 19 of the' front section 1.5 is adapted to overlap and engage with the tongue 28 of the rearsection 58, to which it is secured by a bolt or other suitable fastening device 63, which passesthrough the registering holes 20 and 29. The opposite rear side section 31 is secured to the frame in a similar manner.

After the side sections have been secured to the frame, as above described, the bottom section is placed in position with the4 flanges 36 and '37 engaging with the grooved flanges 18 and 27, as clearly indicated in Figs. 4,5.

and 6, the side. sections beingadapted to give or be sprung outwardly sufiiciently to per- -mit the bottom section to be inserted between4 their lower edges for this purpose. When the bottom section is in position, the holes. 38 andv 39 will register withthe holes' 32 and 33, and bolts or other suitable fastening devices 64 are passed therethroughwhereby said section isfirmly held in place.. At the front edge of the bottom section, the holes in the flanges-41am adapted to register with corresponding holes in the horizontal po1tion'46 of the radiatorcross member 45,

.and bolts orsimilar fastening devices 65 are until lsaid grooved flanges are clear of the passed therethrough to 'firmly secure said section to said cross member. When secured in place, the rear edge 6G will abut against the lower side of' the horizontal-portion 50 of the cross-member 49; Vhile I have shown the bottoni section of the panas being held in -positioii by means of bolts, it will of course be understood that anyl other suitable fastening devices may be employed, it being only necessary that such devices should liold`the bottom section firmly in place, and at the saine time be capable of being easily and quickly withdrawn in order that the bottom section may be removed.

When the panv is assembled and in position upon the frame or body of the automobile, the sides thereof will be provided with openings GT and GS', due to the overlapping rearwardly and for vardly extending tongues '19 and 2S, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, which openings are for the purpose of allowing the axle, journals and other poi'- tions of the mechanism toproject therethrough.

lVlien' it` is necessary to have access to thc niotoi' or the working parts for `iepair or adjustment of the parts, it is simply necessary to remove the fastening devices t-L and (35, push the bottom section upward until its flanges 3G and 3T aie disengaged from the grooved flanges 18 and 27 of the side sections, then press the side sections slightly outwaid flanges on the bottom section, after which the bottom section may be easily withdrawn.

After the repairs or adjustments are made,

it is replaced by reversing the various steps deseribed.-

It will be seen from the above description that I have invented an under pan which will be very efficient. in operation .and by means of' which the motor and working parts-.will be proteetedfrom foreign matter. which will readily admit oi 'access to said parts, `which will be cheap to manufacture. and which may be easily and quickly placed in position .and removed therefrom.

Having fully described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to .secure by Letters Patent,'is:- y

1. Tn an under pan for use with automobiles, the combination of sectional side members adapted to be supported by the frame of an automobile, id members having their lower edges provid d with grooves, of a bottom member having its side edges provided with flanges to detachably engage said grooves, substantially as described.

In an under pan for use with automobiles, the combination with side sections pro` vided with ii pper flanges by which they may be secured tothe frame of an automobile, and having grooved flanges at the. lower edges.I of a 'bottom member having its side edges fashioned to detachably engage the flanged grooves of the side members, substantially as described.

3. In an under pan for use with automobiles, the combination with side members adapted to be supported b the frame of-aii automobile, said lmembers aving their lower edges turned inwardly to form longitudinally extending grooves, of a bottom meinber having its edges turned downwardly to Abers, whereby access may be had tothe motor and working parts of the automobile upon stantially as described. 4. ln an under pan 'for use with automo-l biles, the combination with side members adapted to be supported by the frame of an automobile. each of said members being formed of sections and veach of said sections tudinally extending grooved flanges, of a single bottom member having its side edges i'eiiiovably engaging the grooved flanges of thc sections of the side members whereby access may be had to the motor and working ot' said bottom member, Substantially as described.

."i. In aii'undei pan for use with automobiles, the combination with side members which they may be supported from the frame of' aii automobile, said side members` having their lower edges provided with grooved flanges, of a bottom member having its side edges detachably secured to the lower flanges of the side members, siil'istantially as described.

In an iiiidei pan for use with automobiles, the combination with side members adapted to be supported by the frame of an automobile, 'wand provided with grooved flanges, of a bottoni member provided with flanges engaging with said grooved flanges, whereby the bottom member is supported by said side-members, substantially as described.

7,. In an under pan for use with automobiles, the combination with side sections provided with upper and lower flanges, said upper flanges being adapted to be secured to section provided with flanges eo-acting with said lower flanges, and removable means uniting said co-aetiiig flanges, substantially as described. f

8. In an under pan for use with automobiles, the combination with `side members each formed of a plurality of sections, said members adapted to be supported by the frame of an autoniobilmand said sections beautomobile to pass therethrough, of a bottom ineiiibei fitting between the lower edges of the side members` the' lower edges of said side members and the side edges of the botremovably fit the grooves of the sidemein-.

the. removal of said bottom,meinber, subhaving its lower edges provided' with longi parts of the automobile, iiponthe removal having flanges along their upper edges by the frame of the automobile, of a bottom ing cut away at points to'allow parts of the tom member having interengaging flanges, substantially as described'.

9. In an underpan for use With'v automobiles, the combination with .front side sections adapted to be secured to the frame of an automobile, and provided' With rearwardly extending tongues, of rear side sections adapted to bel secured to said frame d and provided With forwardly extending tongues secured to said first mentioned tongues, and a bottom section supported 'by' said sidesections, substantially as described.

10. In an underv pan for use with antonio- .biles, the Aeombinaticni Wit-heide members adapted-.to besupported by theV frame of an automobile, each of said members being provided with gi'ooved flanges along the lower edges and one of said members being proi i'ided with an opening adapted to receive the Carbureteig of a bottom member having side flanges detacliably engaging the grooved flanges of said side members, substantially t as' described.

ll. ln an under pan for use With automol biles the combination .With side members-j adapted to besupported by the frame of an automobile, said membershaving grooved flanges along their upper. edges and one of said members being provided with a covj 'ered opening adapted to receive the carburef ter, of a bottom member haring flanges along its side edges adapted to engagethe members, substantially as describedl2. In an under pan for use with automobiles, the combination with side members-l adapted to besupp'orted by 'the vframe of an Oi'ooved flanges of the side members to theredetachably secure the-bottom to the. side automobile, said members having grooved flanges extending along their lower edges, of a bottom member extending between said .tending front portion having flanges along its side edges adapted to det'acliably engage substantially as described. Y

1-3. In an under pan for use with automobiles, the combination with side members adapted to be supported by the fra-me of an automobile, said' members having* grooved tom member disposed between' the side mein; bers, said bottom member having a flange along its front edge whereby it may be` secured to the frame of an automobile, substantially as described.

of New York. this 11th day of November, A. D. 1.907. l p JoHN'A; MILLER.

lVitnesses side members comprising an upwardly eX-' inwardly-turned flanges and said'rejar sec-v i corresponding grooves. in the lside members,

5o flanges along their lower edges, of a-y .bot-

14. In an under pan' for use with: automo- 

